BLS TPE Clyde Race Tracker Tour

On Saturday 26th April 2014, the Branch Line Society ran another of their excellent tours in conjunction with First TransPennine Express, the "Clyde Race Tracker", with all proceeds going to the Railway Children charity. Once again, all TOC and Network Rail staff volunteered their services for free and charter and track access fees were waived. The tour ran from Manchester Oxford Road to Craigentinny T&RSMD (Edinburgh) via diverse routes, then via further interesting routes and depots to Glasgow Central. The final leg from Glasgow Central back to Manchester Piccadilly was a departure from the usual BLS philosophy of obscure lines, loops and sidings as this was a high speed run as far as Manchester Piccadilly (through platforms) in order to set a benchmark time, with only a very short stop at Carlisle for a crew change...

Many thanks to the BLS for inviting me along once again and to all their stewards and on board staff from TPE and Network Rail for their help in getting photos in not normally accessible locations to complete another great day out. A huge amount of money was raised for the Railway Children, so congratulations to all concerned for their efforts.

As usual, there are many more shots to add, but here's a few for starters...

First Transpennine Express 350 410 had only just been wrapped in its new livery vinyls in time to work the Branch Line Society's TPE "Clyde Race Tracker Tour" for the benefit of "The Railway Children" charity. The train is here standing in Manchester Oxford Road station Platform 1 at 07:25½ on Saturday 26th April 2014 as 1Z50, the 07:20 from Manchester Piccadilly (though this was not a public pick-up point) to Edinburgh Craigentinny T&RSMD, the first leg of the tour, due to depart at 07:53. Digital Image No. IGMP3539.